The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1887-04-20
Should Christians 60 to Law One
With Another.


BY taking the name of Christian up
on us we acknowledge ourselves to be
subject to the law of Christ, to have
His spirit and to be governed by it.
We acknowledge all the teaching of
the New Testament, whether given by
Christ Immediately, or 10 His apostles
to be His law and will to US. There
fore we submit all questions of right
or wrong to the teaching of the Scrip
lures. And that which is not found
in the letter, we judge from the spirit
that is manifest in them, and by the
Spirit which gives us understanding
of them.
I believe at present it is allowed by
nearly all denominations, that their
members may 60 to law with those of
other denominations, or with the peo-
pie of the world, for the redress of
grievances, without being held ac-
countable by their church discipline:
Friends discipline still forbids their
members to 60 to law with one of their
own denomination. But why is this
difference?
Itmay be said that the people of the
world are not Christians, but belong
to the worldly power, and therefore
we may use the law against them.
But shall we be so uncharitable as to
conclude, that because man does not
belong to our own church organiZa-
ton, he may not be q Christian :?
Christ's spirit does not so Judge; but
whoever are Christ's disciples are our
L Gov oil fhncn rrh0 n in
the Father in spirit and in truth, are
accepted of Him. In Gospel sense,
Christians are all one, as Christ pray
ed: "That they all may be one"
1t is by the Gospel that we should
Judge one another, and our conduct
should be governed according to the
same. And churches should be, and
are in Christ, obedient to the same law
as is required of their members.
The Apostle of Christ in writing to
the Corinthians says: dare any Of
you, having matter against another,
20 to law before the unjust, and not
before the saints? Do we not know
that the saints shall judge the world ?
and if the world shall be judged by
YOU, are We unworthy to judge the
smallest matters?" Here the apostle
argues that if we are able, or if there
is ability in the church to judge the
greater matters, there must be ability
to Judge the less, as he goes on to prove
in the next verse, "Know ye not that
we shall judge angels? How mnch
more things that pertain to this life?'
list Corinthians vi. l, 2, g..
Differences arise betwixt Christians
sometimes as we'll as others in regard
to the division Of property, payment
of claims, and in many other cases
where, for satisfying the parties and
clearing the truth, the matters ought
to be referred to third party to rem
der decision according to the evil
dence in equity and justice, having
the eye single unto truth and the fear
of God in their hearts, not receiving
bribes to favor the one in preference to
the other. Such impartial judgment
is to be found among the people of
God, and such an assurance is not to
be expected elsewhere. Therefore onr
Heavenly Father in His infinite love
for every member of His church, has
enjoined the settlement of all our diff
ferences within the body.
But it may occur that one may have
q lust claim against another who is
not willing to submit the matter to
the Judgment of the church. or may
manage in some way to wrong him
out of his claim without an appeal to
law. What should be done in such a
case? Is it right that he should suffer
loss by such injustice? Is it not right
on the part of the unjust one; but Oh
the part of him that has the claim, it
is right to obey God so let the same
apostle answer what he ought to do.
brother goeth to law with brother,
and that before the unbelievers. Now.
therefore, there is utterly a fault
among you, because ye 60 to law one
with another. Why do We not rather
take wrong? Why do ye not rather
suffer yourselves to be defrauded?
Nay, We do wrong and defraud, and
that your brethren" list Corinthi-
ans vi. 6, 7, g. He tells them inter-
rogativeiy, that it is better to suffer
wrong and be defrauded, than to 60 to
law before them that are not saints.
It is always better to plead the right
eousness of Christ, than to 60 to law
even in defence, for it is hazardous at
the best to appeal to the law in defence
against another. Not only does the
apostle tell US that it is better not 10 do
so, but Christ teaches the same thing
when he says: "If any man will sue
thee at the law and take away thy
coat. let him have thy cloak Also"
Matthew v. 40) And God said unto
Moses that Christ was to be heard in
all things, which no Christians deny.
But many are not able to see why they
may not 90 to law rather than suffer
loss. God saw how uncertain it would
be to obtain either mercy or judgment
at the hands of those who are appoint
ed to examine or to judge in law.
Therefore, in love to His children, He
tells them to leave judgment to Him.
Like every other submission to
Christ, it is only possible by faith.
Does not observation show that he who
is the most ready to 60 to law, suffers
the most loss, both in property an rep
utation?
Justice is sometimes obtained in
law, but in the aggregate, the losses
are more than the gain. So the Lord
guards the reputation and property Of
His church by forbidding it to 60 to-
law. It is not by thus contending
with one another that the light of the
church is to shine, but rather by suf-
fering. Let the churches that 60 to
| law about the rightfulness to property,
and who is the true church, and who
are the lawful trustees, or for any 9TH
er cause, listen to the reproving Ian
guage of the apostle: II speak to your
shame. Is it so, that there is not a
wise man among you? No, not one
that shall be able to Judge between his